This book has been on my shelf for ~20 years! While I’m sure prison conditions and the dynamics of being incarcerated the way the author described were mostly accurate at that time; however, I don’t buy into his perceived reality. While I believe our US criminal justice system remains flawed, I am annoyed with his grandiose attitude, lack of personal accountability for his choices, victim stance, and glorified/embellished story telling. I hoped to learn something valuable from his experience, but his work does not stand the test of time. ( )

I don't know how to describe this book...it was interesting and informative (in parts), but it was also repetitive and boring (in parts). It was heartfelt and honest and raw, but also preachy and one sided. It is odd reading a book that is culled together from a series of letters, but you are only reading one side of the conversation, it feels as if something is missing. It also felt choppy and disjointed at parts, probably due to the way it was assembled, different passages from different sections of different letters. All in all it was compelling, and makes you wonder if circumstances have changed from how they were portrayed in the book, you like to think yes, but still wonder... ( )

This book was just okay. I am interested in first account stories of people in hard times and thought this might be interesting when I found it at the book rescue. Turns out it is a series of letters from the author to another man. The letters are horrific. The way he has been treated is horrific. If this is how we treat our prisoners, no wonder there is so much bitterness and anger when so many get out. We definitely do not make it easy for people to turn their lives around. He definitely had a lot of anger in him but it sounds like it was justified. Some people never have a chance. It is really sad. This is America, where we all should have a chance. ( )

Norman Mailer always was easily impressed. ( )

abbott describes the experience of being repeatedly imprisoned throughout his life (beginning in childhood). he also expounds on philosophy and comments on various social ills (violence, racism, capital punishment). it's tough to read (emotionally) but very interesting. ( )